We share this email in its entirety from the Faith Leaders distribution list of the Minnesota Department of Health:
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Hello Faith Leaders;
We have received many requests and questions about “clergy” qualifying as essential workers when it comes to vaccine prioritization distribution.
[Crossposted with permission from Scott Russell on Healing Minnesota Stories blog]
The Minnesota Council of Churches acknowledges that we are located on the ancestral homeland of the Dakota People. We are in close proximity to the territories of the Anishinabe and Ho-Chunk peoples. This land has been stewarded as a living relative by the Dakota for generations. The United States government effectively stole this land from the Dakota people through a series of unjust treaties and broken promises, followed by targeted efforts of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and forced removal.
Two new communions have moved to manifest the unity of the body of Christ and build the common good in the world by joining the now-27 historic black, traditional peace, Orthodox, Pentacostal and Protestant judicatories that make up the Minnesota Council of Churches. We are proud to grow in membership and to recognize our unity with the Presbytery of Dakota and the Communion of Holy Christian Churches.
Presbytery of Dakota, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Pastor Fern Cloud, Stated Clerk
(cross-posted from Scott Russell at Healing Minnesota Stories blog)
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe holds less of its original reservation lands than any other Ojibwe tribe in Minnesota. In fact, Leech Lake suffered more land loss than most other reservations in the United States due the efforts by lumber barons to get their hands on the band’s prized timber lands.
Interfaith Clergy Offer a Pandemic Prayer
Since March we, the heads of communion and executives whose congregations and clergy represent over 1,000,000 Minnesotans of faith, have been in regular contact with each other. We face a deadly threat that thrives when we behave like everything is normal. We have shared the pressing concerns of communities who have been most impacted by this virus. In recent weeks we have felt greater urgency about our deepening crisis.
Every two weeks the Minnesota Council of Churches convenes the judicatory leaders of member and non-member communions for education and conversation with staff from the Minnesota Department of Health. These calls build community amongst Minnesota's top religious leaders from multiple traditions and help us all to be on the same page as far as how our state is batltling the pandemic.
Click on the blue headings to go to a weblink of the newsletter
Minnesota Council of Churches Members Plan Truth & Reconciliation and Reparations
“Minnesota is at the epicenter of being transformed by racial justice” as BIPOC and white church leaders announce ambitious initiative.
